Barrier-breaking US comedian, activist Dick Gregory dead at 84

US comedian and civil rights activist Dick Gregory , who broke barriers as a performer in the era of segregation and challenged racism through searing humor, died Saturday night, his family said. He was 84.

In later decades, he became known variously as a prodigious hunger striker, conspiracy theorist, diet guru and health food advocate.

Prominent Americans paid tribute to Gregory late Saturday.

"He taught us how to laugh. He taught us how to fight. He taught us how to live. Dick Gregory was committed to justice. I miss him already. #RIP," civil rights activist the Reverend Jesse Jackson said.

"Dick Gregory, Truth teller, make you fall on your face laughing Comedian, health man before it was cool & crazy expensive unapologetic About being black in America Dick Gregory has passed away, Condolences to his family and to us who won't have his insight 2 lean on," actress Whoopi Goldberg tweeted.

Gregory's death came at a time of anguished national debate over racial relations, a week after a suspected neo-Nazi at a white supremacist rally in Virginia drove his car into a crowd of counter-protesters, killing a woman.

President Donald Trump defended some far-right protesters at the rally as "very fine people."

Gregory, whose Instagram account was checkered with promotions for his many club appearances around the country, touched on the issue in a post from March.

"As I approach my 85th revolution around the sun this year, I wonder why has it been so difficult for humankind to be kind. So difficult to be loving and lovable," Gregory said.

"For my militant brothers and sisters, please don't misconstrue loving and lovable to be weak or submissive. Love will always be triumphant over hate.

"I know I will not be here forever, nor do I desire to be. I have seen progress like most cannot appreciate because they were not there to bear witness. I dedicated my life to the movement. By doing so, I never thought I'd still be here."